TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Lobbyists in Kansas reported spending almost 6 percent more in 2012 to influence state government officials than they did in 2011.

A report released this month by the state Governmental Ethics Commission said 550 lobbyists reported spending a total of $765,000 last year. That's $43,000 more than the figure for 2011.

The biggest jump in spending was on newsletters and other communications from groups to their members or from companies to their employees, urging them to contact state officials. The figure for 2012 was almost $115,000, compared to less than $20,000 in 2011.

But spending on media advertising dropped to about $135,000 last year from $186,000 in 2011.

Lobbyists also reported spending almost $477,000 on providing free food for state officials.

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